THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Six months ago this week, the statue
of Saddam Hussein came down in the center of Baghdad, and Iraq began
the transition from tyranny to self-government. The goal of our
coalition is to help the Iraqi people build a stable, just and
prosperous country that poses no threat to America or the world. To
reach that goal, we are following a clear strategy.

First, coalition forces in Iraq are actively pursuing the
terrorists and Saddam holdouts who desperately oppose freedom for the
Iraqi people. Secondly, we are committed to expanding international
cooperation in the reconstruction and security of Iraq. And third, we
are working closely with Iraqi leaders as they prepare to draft a
constitution, establish institutions of a civil society, and move
toward free elections.

As part of this strategy, we're helping Iraqis to rebuild their
economy after a long era of corruption and misrule. For three decades,
Iraq's economy served the interest only of its dictator and his
regime. Saddam Hussein built palaces and monuments to himself, while
Iraq's infrastructure crumbled. He built up a massive war machine
while neglecting the basic needs of his own people.

Now that the dictator is gone, we and our coalition partners are
helping Iraqis to lay the foundation of a free economy. This coming
week, the Iraqi economy will reach an important milestone with the
introduction of a new currency. The new Iraqi dinar notes will bear
the images of Iraq's proud heritage, and not the face of a hated
dictator. For more than a decade, different areas of Iraq have used
two different versions of the dinar, and many of those notes were
counterfeit, diminishing the value of those that were genuine. The new
dinar will be used throughout Iraq, thereby unifying the economy and
the country. The new currency will have special features that will
make it difficult to counterfeit.

Following World War II, it took three years to institute a new
currency in West Germany. In Iraq, it has taken only six months. And
the new currency symbolizes Iraq's reviving economy.

Iraq has a strong entrepreneurial tradition, and since the
liberation of that country, thousands of new businesses have been
launched. Busy markets are operating in villages across the country.
Store shelves are filled with goods from clothing and linens to
air-conditioners and satellite dishes. Free commerce is returning to
the ancient region that invented banking.

With our assistance, Iraqis are building the roads and ports and
railways necessary for commerce. We have helped to establish an
independent Iraqi central bank. Working with the Iraqi Governing
Council, we are establishing a new system that allows foreign investors
to confidently invest capital in Iraq's future. And we have helped
restore Iraq's oil production capacity to nearly two million barrels a
day, the benefits of which are flowing directly to the Iraqi people.

Iraq is making progress. As the Mayor of Kirkuk, Abdul Rahman
Mustafa, recently said, "Our economic potential has barely been
tapped." We must help Iraq to meet that potential. The request I have
made to Congress for Iraqi reconstruction includes support for
important health and training projects. Under our strategy, Iraq will
have employment centers to help people find jobs. We intend to
establish computer training and English language instruction and
vocational programs to help Iraqis participate fully in the global
economy. I urge Congress to pass my budget request soon so this vital
work can proceed.

Americans are providing this help not only because our hearts are
good, but because our vision is clear. A stable, democratic, and
prosperous Iraq will no longer be a breeding ground for terror, tyranny
and aggression. And a free Iraq will be an example of freedom's power
throughout the Middle East. Free nations are peaceful nations. By
promoting freedom and hope in other lands, we remove direct threats to
the American people. Our actions in Iraq will increase our safety for
years to come.